World Twenty20 Victory for Ireland

05 December 2015

The Ireland women's cricket team have won the Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier in Bangkok.

In a close final they held their nerve to win with the last ball of the game. Sixteen year old, Lucy O'Reilly, with a single from the final ball to secure a two wicket win over Bangladesh in the final in Thailand.

Cecelia Joyce and Clare Shillington got Ireland off to a flying start hitting 24 from the first two overs, but it was left to Laura Delany (26 not out) and O'Reilly (2 not out) to finish off the game after wickets fell at regular intervals to leave Ireland eight wickets down heading into the final over. The pair held their nerve brilliantly and scored the required eight runs for victory despite the drama and horrendous weather conditions.

Ciara Metcalfe, the only Ireland player not required to bat, played a huge part in the win after taking 3-14 in her four over to restrict Bangladesh to just 105 runs in their 20 overs. After a powerful start the Ireland innings calmed down as a level-headed Delany picked off singles and kept up with the rate to set up a tense final over. After getting two from the first two balls of the over, the pair then rotated and picked up a single from each of the remaining balls to ensure a two wicket win for Ireland.